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In fall 2025, Humanities Texas will offer online and in-person professional development programs for Texas social studies and English language arts teachers.

Webinars include "The Imperial Crisis in British North America, 1763–1775" (October 6), "Digital Storytelling: Developing Student Podcasts in the Writing Classroom" (October 7), and "The Declaration of Independence" (November 17).

In-person workshops include "Teaching the U.S. Constitution" in Austin (October 8), "Teaching the Progressive Era" in Houston (October 21), "Teaching Drama" in Austin (October 29), "Teaching Early Texas History, 1528–1821" in Dallas (November 6), and "Teaching Texas Literature" in McAllen (November 13).

All programs will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources and texts, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.

The Imperial Crisis in British North America, 1763–1775 (Webinar)

"The Imperial Crisis in British North America, 1763–1775" will take place on Zoom from 5:00–6:15 p.m. CT on October 6, 2025.

The webinar will explore events in British North America from the end of the French and Indian War in 1763 until the eve of independence, including Parliament's passage of numerous laws impinging upon colonial rights, the growth of resistance to British policies, and emerging signs of American unity. Discussion will cover the passage of the Coercive Acts in 1774, the calling of the First and Second Continental Congresses, and the state of the colonies in June 1775, when George Washington was made Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Rosemarie Zagarri (George Mason University) will lead the webinar.

This is the second in a series of webinars during 2025–2026 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Digital Storytelling: Developing Student Podcasts in the Writing Classroom (Webinar)

"Digital Storytelling: Developing Student Podcasts in the Writing Classroom" will take place on Zoom from 5:00–6:15 p.m. CT on October 7, 2025.

The webinar will explore options for creating student podcasts and using other digital storytelling tools and new media to support writing instruction in the secondary-level humanities classroom. The presentation and interactive discussion will emphasize generating student interest in writing and developing critical thinking, media literacy, and analytical skills. Robert J. Quigley (The University of Texas at Austin) will lead the webinar.

Teaching the U.S. Constitution (In-Person Workshop)

"Teaching the U.S. Constitution" will take place at the Thompson Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin on October 8, 2025.

Topics to be addressed include the Articles of Confederation, compromises made in adopting the Constitution, the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates on the Constitution's ratification, and the Bill of Rights. Program faculty includes Denver Brunsman (George Washington University), Charles Flanagan (educational consultant), Lorri Glover (Saint Louis University), and Joseph F. Kobylka (Southern Methodist University).

Teaching the Progressive Era (In-Person Workshop)

"Teaching the Progressive Era" will take place in Houston at the Anderson-Clarke Center at Rice University on October 21, 2025.

The workshop will include an overview of the Progressive Era and address the politics, reforms, and journalism of the period. Program faculty includes Robert Johnston (University of Illinois Chicago), Michelle Kuhl (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh), Joseph Locke (University of North Texas), and Ford Risley (Penn State University).

Teaching Drama (In-Person Workshop)

"Teaching Drama" will take place at the Thompson Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin on October 29, 2025.

Focusing on ancient Greek, Shakespearean, and twentieth-century American plays, the workshop will provide multiple approaches for generating student interest in and understanding of drama. Program faculty includes Thomas E. Jenkins (Trinity University), and Minou Arjomand, Patricia M. García, and David Kornhaber of The University of Texas at Austin.

Teaching Early Texas History, 1528–1821 (In-Person Workshop)

"Teaching Early Texas History, 1528–1821" will take place in Dallas at the Region 10 Education Service Center on November 6, 2025.

Team-taught by a historian and master teacher, the workshop will focus on early Texas from the first encounters of American Indians and European explorers through the end of the Spanish Empire's hold on Texas. Presentations will offer new assessments of the era and provide a collection of curriculum materials geared toward bringing innovative perspectives into the classroom. Program faculty includes Andrew Torget (University of North Texas) and Courtney Abubakar (Texas History For Teachers).

Teaching Texas Literature (In-Person Workshop)

"Teaching Texas Literature" will take place at the McAllen Convention Center on November 13, 2025.

The workshop will offer insight into how Texas writers have engaged the state's history and culture, with presentations focusing on fiction, poetry, and young adult (YA) literature. Presentations will also address how to develop students' critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. Program faculty includes David Bowles and Emmy Pérez of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, John Morán González (The University of Texas at Austin), and Giuseppe Taurino (Writers in the Schools).

The Declaration of Independence (Webinar)

"The Declaration of Independence" will take place on Zoom from 5:00–6:15 p.m. CT on November 17, 2025.

The webinar will examine the Declaration of Independence through a global lens, tracing its complex origins, international influences, and far-reaching legacy. Printed by an Irish immigrant on Dutch paper imported from England, its purpose was profoundly international: to unite thirteen colonies and attract foreign support. The discussion will explore how this document echoed existing declarations, drew on European thought, and quickly inspired more than one hundred similar proclamations worldwide. By highlighting the Declaration’s enduring global resonance, this session places America's founding moment within the broader history of revolution, decolonization, and the worldwide struggle for self-rule. Richard Bell (University of Maryland) will lead the webinar.

This is the third in a series of webinars during 2025–2026 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

These workshops and webinars are open to all middle and high school social studies, language arts, and humanities teachers but will focus on topics and skills central to the state's secondary-level U.S. history, Texas history, and English language arts curricula. Priority consideration will be given to early-career teachers in low-performing schools and districts.

More information about each program is available in the Education section of the Humanities Texas website. Teachers interested in attending should complete the online application form as soon as possible.

You must be a registered participant to attend any of the programs.

Participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. CPE hours will be based on attendance and adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program. Registration for multi-day program series will remain open even after each series has already begun.

These programs are made possible with support from the State of Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Denver Brunsman (George Washington University) leads an afternoon seminar at a "Founding a New Nation" institute in Austin.
Landing of the Troops by Paul Revere, ca. 1770. American Antiquarian Society.
Texas Student Media at The University of Texas at Austin trains student journalists through its various entities, including The Drag Audio Production House.
Detail from the Constitution mural in the rotunda of the National Archives, Washington, DC, by Barry Faulkner, 1936. National Archives and Records Administration.
New York by George Bellows, 1911. National Gallery of Art.
Mosaic depicting theatrical masks of Tragedy and Comedy from the Baths of Decius in Rome, 2nd century AD. Palazzo Nuovo, Capitoline Museums.
The Texas History for Teachers (TX4T) website provides access to TX4T content across fifteen chronological units.
Emmy Pérez (The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) leads a critical reading seminar at a "Teaching and Understanding Poetry" workshop in El Paso.
The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 by John Trumbull, 1818. Architect of the Capitol.
"The Imperial Crisis in British North America," and "The Declaration of Independence" are two of a series of Humanities Texas webinars during 2025–2026 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.